// startup autopsy
Zadby
In-game ads that the market wasn't ready to buy.
timingSlow Death
Years-long decline before final shutdown · Fatal mistake: Launched an in-game advertising platform at the peak of the financial crisis when ad budgets were being aggressively cut across all digital channels.
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
Zadby founded in the USA to build in-game advertising technology for casual games.
PRODUCT LAUNCH
Platform launched coinciding with the global financial crisis, immediately pressuring advertiser demand.
LAYOFF
Team reduced as revenue failed to materialize and ad budgets remained frozen across the industry.
SHUTDOWN
Zadby closed operations after failing to achieve advertiser traction in a post-crisis digital ad market.